Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she expects to be in a position to make adequate provision through the capital works programme to meet the full preschool, primary, second, third and fourth level current and future educational needs in all areas throughout the country, having particular regard to demographic trends, overcrowded classrooms, the schools building programme, special needs, and the challenge of the varying and increasing demands of the workplace and apprenticeships; if she is satisfied that the plans in place remain adequate to meet the challenges of an expanding economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33935/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I refer the Deputy to my statement on 29 September 2015 on the announcement of the Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021. Over the next six years some €3.8bn in direct funding will be invested in education projects. An additional €200m in PPP funding over the life time of the capital programme will result in more than €4bn in public investment.

The new six year investment programme will fund the construction of 62,000 additional school places at primary and post-primary level to address demographic demand. Funding will also be available for the refurbishment of schools in older buildings that require improvement. The Plan also provides for important investment of €210m in IT and wireless broadband capacity in schools. I am particularly pleased that the plan includes funding to replace prefabs with permanent accommodation.

At third level some €350m will be invested in improving facilities at campuses across the country, with €40m dedicated to the major DIT development underway at Grangegorman.

The announcement of more than €4bn for capital development is a very significant investment in education.